All Messages 2019

It was a complicated Friday at the Italian Grand Prix for all the teams, as it was a case of keeping an eye on the weather to get as much dry running as possible to prepare for tomorrow’s qualifying, when it is expected to be dry. However, the forecast for the race is less clear and could be changeable. Scuderia Ferrari dodged the rain that fell today, on its way to setting the first and third fastest times of the day with Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel respectively. The times look very close between the teams and qualifying could throw up some surprises.

FP1. The first session began in the wet, with Charles and Sebastian running full wet tyres for their installation laps, before switching to intermediates. There were three red flags when cars went off track which limited the amount of damp track running. Towards the end, it was dry enough for slicks and Charles and Sebastian took to the track to set their best times. The Monegasque did 20 laps, the best being a 1’27”905 whle Sebastian posted a 1’30”507.

FP2. In the second 90 minute session, everyone was on slicks, allowing all drivers to use dry weather tyres and so Charles and Sebastian were able to evaluate all the compounds available, fine tuning the settings and getting to grips with the heavy braking requirements of the Monza track. They worked on preparing for the race and qualifying, which is when they did their best laps. Charles posted a 1’20”978. He was the only driver to get under the 1m 21s barrier, while Sebastian was third quickest with a 1’21”179. The later part of the session was given over to long runs and by the end, Leclerc had completed 37 laps and Sebastian 39.

Saturday. Tomorrow sees the final free practice session get underway at noon CET, followed by qualifying at 15.00. The Italian Grand Prix starts at 15.10 on Sunday.

Sebastian Vettel #5“The day was ok, but we can still get more out of the car. FP1 was a bit of a scrappy session, with all the teams heading out as soon as the light went green after each red flag. We didn’t have the usual rhythm of a Friday, but the main thing is that we got some decent laps in and we know where our weaknesses are and what to focus on.For qualifying, we have to see what the conditions will be like, how careful we might need to be on the out lap, and how the tyres will work. Then we will take it from there. It is nice if you get a tow around here, and the priority is to get one perfect lap.Ahead of the race, you just want to improve the car and make it faster overall, because you need a car that allows you to have a good performance while also saving the tyres. We have some work to do, and I know that I can find more for tomorrow.”

It was a complicated Friday at the Italian Grand Prix for all the teams, as it was a case of keeping an eye on the weather to get as much dry running as possible to prepare for tomorrow’s qualifying, when it is expected to be dry. However, the forecast for the race is less clear and could be changeable. Scuderia Ferrari dodged the rain that fell today, on its way to setting the first and third fastest times of the day with Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel respectively. The times look very close between the teams and qualifying could throw up some surprises.

FP1. The first session began in the wet, with Charles and Sebastian running full wet tyres for their installation laps, before switching to intermediates. There were three red flags when cars went off track which limited the amount of damp track running. Towards the end, it was dry enough for slicks and Charles and Sebastian took to the track to set their best times. The Monegasque did 20 laps, the best being a 1’27”905 whle Sebastian posted a 1’30”507.

FP2. In the second 90 minute session, everyone was on slicks, allowing all drivers to use dry weather tyres and so Charles and Sebastian were able to evaluate all the compounds available, fine tuning the settings and getting to grips with the heavy braking requirements of the Monza track. They worked on preparing for the race and qualifying, which is when they did their best laps. Charles posted a 1’20”978. He was the only driver to get under the 1m 21s barrier, while Sebastian was third quickest with a 1’21”179. The later part of the session was given over to long runs and by the end, Leclerc had completed 37 laps and Sebastian 39.

Saturday. Tomorrow sees the final free practice session get underway at noon CET, followed by qualifying at 15.00. The Italian Grand Prix starts at 15.10 on Sunday.

Sebastian Vettel #5“The day was ok, but we can still get more out of the car. FP1 was a bit of a scrappy session, with all the teams heading out as soon as the light went green after each red flag. We didn’t have the usual rhythm of a Friday, but the main thing is that we got some decent laps in and we know where our weaknesses are and what to focus on.For qualifying, we have to see what the conditions will be like, how careful we might need to be on the out lap, and how the tyres will work. Then we will take it from there. It is nice if you get a tow around here, and the priority is to get one perfect lap.Ahead of the race, you just want to improve the car and make it faster overall, because you need a car that allows you to have a good performance while also saving the tyres. We have some work to do, and I know that I can find more for tomorrow.”

One day on from the fantastic event in Milan’s Piazza Duomo to celebrate Scuderia Ferrari’s and the Italian GP’s 90th anniversary, our two drivers turned up for work at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza which hosts Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. Track action begins tomorrow with two free practice sessions, starting at 11 and 15 CET. Following the usual track walk with the engineers, this time joined by Marc Gene and Davide Rigon, one of the simulator drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc took part in the planning meetings to prepare Friday’s programme. It seems as though changeable weather could be one element to keep in mind, with rain expected at various times during the Monza weekend.

Incredible Milan. This being Scuderia Ferrari’s home race, both its drivers were called to the FIA press conference, where one of the topics was the excellent event in Milan last night. Sebastian had clearly enjoyed it: “It was really great and the Piazza Duomo with its great gothic cathedral which overlooks the square is in itself an amazing place, but yesterday, to see it packed out with a sea of red was unforgettable. In fact, I’m not sure I’d want to go back there, because it could never look as good again!” said the German. Charles echoed his team-mate’s sentiments. “I knew that driving for Ferrari in the Italian Grand Prix would be something special, but what we saw in Milan was fabulous, with so many people… and it was just Wednesday.”

Goals. The Maranello is always expected to deliver a great result in Monza and the drivers did not hold back with the journalists. “I am reasonably optimistic, based on what we saw in Spa-Francorchamps,” said the four times World Champion. “I think this track could suit our car well, but it’s always best to wait until we have been out on track in free practice before saying too much. Plus, the weather could be far from optimal and that could mix things up a bit. What I do know is that I’d like t win here to thank the fans for all the support they always give us. I won here with a Ferrari-powered car, but to make it to the top step of the podium after driving the SF90 would be fantastic.”

Charles. On this topic too, Charles was in agreement with his team-mate. “The fact that I finally got that first Formula 1 win out of way has taken a weight off my shoulders and is a confidence boost,” said Charles. “We have shown that our car can be competitive on low downforce circuits and, if necessary, Seb and I can work as a team, helping one another on track as well as off it, when it comes to comparing different car configurations.”

Programme. After three hours of free practice on Friday, the next part of the Italian GP is the final hour of practice at 12 on Saturday, prior to the grid-deciding qualifying session at 15. The 90thItalian Grand Prix, the 70thto count as a round of the Formula 1 World Championship, gets underway at 15.10 on Sunday.

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